Cardinals outfielder Oscar Tavares dies in automobile accident

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was killed on Sunday in a car crash along with his girlfriend.

The 22-year-old was driving to his hometown of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Thus far authorities have released no details of the accident that claimed the life of Tavares and his 18-year-old girlfriend Edilia Arvelo.

Once a top prospect of the Cardinals, Tavares was called up to the majors on May 30 hitting a home run for his first big league hit a day later. He played in 80 games hitting .239 on the season. He played in the NLCS against San Francisco hitting home run as a pinch hitter in Game 2.

The Cardinals released the following statement:

“We are all stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of the youngest members of the Cardinals family,” Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. “Oscar was an amazing talent with a bright future who was taken from us well before his time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends tonight.”

“I simply can’t believe it,” Mozeliak said. “I first met Oscar when he was sixteen years old and will forever remember him as a wonderful young man who was a gifted athlete with an infectious love for life who lived every day to the fullest.”